'Wild West World' Theme Park Set To Open Saturday

Park City, KS -- Construction workers at Wild West World are busy putting the finishing touches on the new theme park in final preparation for Saturday's grand opening.

Families and thrill-seekers are expected to line up to check out the new park for the first time. Park owner Thomas Etheredge has spent $30 million constructing the 40-acre park that offers 24 rides.

Etheridge says he expects Wild West World to draw about 500,000 visitors in its first year. Already the park has sold about $2 million worth of season passes.

When families arrive Saturday they can expect to find a western theme and more than two dozen rides and attractions. All but two of the parks rides are ready to go.

The opening of the log flume and Condor ride are delayed. The park says they're still waiting on parts to arrive from overseas.

From the Wild West World main gate guests will walk into a frontier-town boardwalk lined with restaurants, gift shops and food stands. There is a shooting gallery and video arcade for entertainment, bakery and Cold Stone Creamery.

The theme park is divided into three themed sections that are joined together by a path that loops around the entire park.

Etheridge refers to the path as the Chisholm Trail.

The first area is the themed after the Southwest and Texas caballeros. The second area has a Native American theme and the third pays tribute to Kansas own western heritage and cowboys.

The park main attractions are two roller coasters, a giant wheel and log flume. Another major roller coaster will be added in 2009.